Foot and mouth control strategy worked out

A key meeting to development of a national foot and mouth disease control strategy is set to be held in Bulawayo on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe has experienced regular outbreaks of the disease in recent times in cattle rich regions of Matabeleland and Midlands, which have adversely affected the industry as the country is an exporter of meat.

The same was also witnessed in Matabeleland South Agricultural Show, where a limited number of cattle were brought for the exhibition due to FMD.

"Zimbabwe has over the past year experienced incessant foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks with the disease now having spread into six of the country's 10 provinces, this, despite government efforts to control outbreaks through rigorous livestock vaccination campaigns and enforcement of strict movement restrictions.

"The Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services (DLVS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development (MAMID), in collaboration with key partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union (EU) will be holding a National Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy formulation and multi-stakeholder workshop in Harare on the 16th of February and in Bulawayo on the 17th of February 2016" a statement said.

Officials from Agriculture ministry, European Union and   Food and Agriculture Organization are expected to attend.